TUCSON, Ariz. – The Tucson Sugar Skulls (5-8) didn't hold a lead until the final seven seconds of the football game, overcame an 18-point deficit in the first half, and elated the home crowd by defeating the Duke City Gladiators (6-7) at the Boneyard on Saturday, 63-59.

The special teams unit was trotting onto the field to attempt a game-tying field goal inside the 5-yard line with nine seconds remaining, but a Duke City defensive delay of game penalty moved the football inside the one yard line.

The penalty set the stage for goal line a 4th-and-1, and there was no question Head Coach Dixie Wooten was going for it. Wooten then chose quarterback Cory Murphy to pump in the game winning score.

Magnificent Murphy

QB1 Cory Murphy doubled his season passing yard total as he dazzled the crowd in Tucson by throwing for 195 yards (362) and four TDs (7). On the ground, the elusive QB rushed 13 times for 36 yards and two TDs (5).

Wide receiver Ryan Balentine carved through the Gladiator secondary to finish the game with nine catches (52) for 130 yards (653) and three TDs (12).

Balentine's ability to get depth on his routes and sit down in the Duke City flats propelled Tucson to victory. The all-time IFL leader in receiving yards posted his second game of the season with three receiving TDs (7/3 at AZR).

Running back Mike Jones' stat line isn't gaudy, but his presence in the backfield set the tone for the Tucson offense all evening. Jones gained 39 yards on the ground (327) and rushed for two TDs (21).

Key Turnovers

Defensive back Matt Elam absolutely punished Duke City on Saturday night.

On the only defensive stop of the game for the Sugar Skulls, Elam had a strip sack in the red zone and forced another strip sack with the fumble recovery at the beginning of the fourth quarter. Elam ended the night with four total tackles (55).

Special Teams Save

The Sugar Skulls special teams made huge plays throughout the game to keep the offense in the game. In the second quarter, Byron Evans knocked the ball out of returner Dello Davis' hands with Jazeric Peterson fell on it to give the Sugar Skulls good field position.

Kicker Jimmy Camacho drilled two field goals. One to open the second quarter (33 YDS) and another from 50 yards out.

After failing on multiple onside kick attempts in the second half, including two that were returned for TDs, the Sugar Skulls successfully recovered an onside kick with 1:23 left in the game. The recovery led to Murphy's game-winning drive.

Final Push

The Sugar Skulls will play their final regular season game against the Northern Arizona Wranglers on Saturday, August 21 at 6:05 p.m. MST in Prescott Valley.

The Sugar Skulls need some help to make the playoffs. This tilt is a must-win game for Tucson if it plans to extend its season into the playoffs. The Wranglers and Sugar Skulls have split the season series (1-1) against each other, and the last matchup against the Wranglers ended in a 48-44 loss.